Arizona Sign Dessens to $7.3M Deal

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 8, 2003

Right-hander Elmer Dessens and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed Thursday to a $7.3 million, two-year contract that includes a team option for 2005.

Dessens was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds last month in a four-team trade that sent first basemen Erubiel Durazo to the Oakland Athletics.

Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said the acquisition of Dessens should help the team solidify its starting rotation.

Dessens, 31, had a 3.03 ERA last season, sixth the National League. He went 7-8 with the Reds in 30 starts.

The deal calls for salaries of $3 million this year (of which $275,000 is paid in advance) and $4 million in 2004. Arizona has a $4.5 million option for 2005 with a $300,000 buyout.

He can earn up to $500,000 annually in performance bonuses, getting the entire amount if he reaches 230 innings. The bonus clauses also could raise his 2004 salary to as much as $4.4 million if he pitches 230 innings this year. In addition, the price of the option could increase to as much as $5.25 million and the buyout to $500,000 if he has 450 or more innings in the next two seasons, including at least 225 in 2004.

Three other Arizona players are eligible for salary arbitration: outfielders Dave Dellucci and Quinton McCracken, and closer Byung-Hyun Kim.